5/25/2025
Rodney Sanders
Rodney Sanders scores USMTS Southern Minnesota Spring Challenge victory
Modified World Championship at Mississippi Thunder Speedway Up Next
HAPPY, Tex. (05/28/25) – Rodney Sanders amassed his 124th career United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) victory over the Memorial Day weekend with a $5,000 triumph at Deer Creek Speedway aboard his Wichita Tank Racing / Paulson Rock Products / Stussy Construction No. 20 MB Customs Race Car / Hatfield Racing Engine Modified.
The five-time USMTS champion paced the final 14 circuits in Saturday's Southern Minnesota Spring Challenge to claim his fourth win of the 2025 campaign.
“It's really cool that my son and my dad are here,” Sanders added. “This is a big family sport, and it's really cool when you can have all your loved ones here.”
Sanders’ triumph came on Saturday at the 3/8-mile Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minnesota, where 50 Modified competitors sought the $5,000 top prize in the 21st annual Southern Minnesota Spring Challenge. After winning his heat race from the pole, Sanders started second in the 40-lap feature. He took the lead in his No. 20 Modified on the 17th circuit following a restart and showed the way for the remainder of the race. He scored his third USMTS feature victory of the season by a 2.045-second margin over Parker Hale. Third place went to Dustin Sorensen, with Jim Chisholm and Lucas Schott finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
Sanders has now won four feature events overall in 2025.
The USMTS weekend was originally scheduled to kick off on Thursday with the 12th annual War in West Union at Fayette County Speedway in West Union, Iowa. However, when the event was postponed due to inclement weather, the Hobo 100k Nickel Nationals at Britt, Iowa's Hancock County Speedway on Friday became the weekend opener. Fifty Modifieds were in the pit area at the 4/10-mile track.
Sanders set the overall quick time in qualifying at Hancock County, then finished third in his heat race. He won his B-Main, putting him 13th on the grid to start the night’s 40-lap, $5,000-to-win feature. He advanced eight spots to take the checkered flag behind Kyle Strickler, Tanner Mullens, Reece Solander and Brandon Davis.
Following his victory on Saturday, Sanders traveled with the USMTS Modifieds to Mason City (Iowa) Motor Speedway for the 34-car Jerry Hejna Memorial. Sanders won his heat race on the 1/3-mile oval and rolled off from the pole position in the $5,000-to-win main event. He led 17 laps of the 40-lap race before ultimately coming home as runner-up, 3.336 seconds behind winner Cade Dillard. Solander, Strickler and Terry Phillips completed the top five.
Sanders remains atop the Summit USMTS National Championship point standings following the Memorial Day weekend swing.
Complete results can be found at www.USMTS.com.
Sanders is set to tackle the Modified World Championship this weekend at Mississippi Thunder Speedway, where he’ll also field an entry for Super Late Model standout Ricky Thornton Jr. The inaugural event spans three days—Thursday through Saturday—and will award a staggering $100,025 top prize to the winner.
Full event details are available at www.MississippiThunder.com.
Rodney Sanders would like to thank all of his sponsors including Wichita Tank Racing, ARMI Contractors, Mesilla Valley Transportation, S&S Fishing and Rental, Kenny’s Tile, MB Customs, Hatfield Race Engines, Hibner Logging, Keith Hammett Trucking & Construction, Bergman Tax and Accounting, Paulson Rock Products, Stussy Construction, Integra Shocks, Shocker Hitch, Olsen Custom Farms, Swift Springs, Texas Locomotive Solutions, American Masonry Contractors, FK Rod Ends, CMD Race Shocks, Wehrs Machine, 87 Automotive, Keyser Manufacturing, Allstar Performance, Speedway Motors, Schoenfeld Headers, JE Pistons, Walker Performance Filtration, Day Motorsports, Real Wheels, Palmer Painting, Deatherage Opticians, Wilwood Brakes, PEM Rearends, Winning Edge Carburetors, McCartney Welding, Simpson Race Products, Buzz Signs & Graphix, and MyRacePass.com Website & Marketing Services.
Fans can also stay connected by subscribing to Sanders' official mailing list at https://pages/5ZJHIM.
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